Orbital decompression surgery is a surgical procedure that creates additional space within the eye socket to relieve pressure on the orbital contents. It most often treats thyroid eye disease, an autoimmune condition linked to Graves’ disease that causes the extraocular muscle tissue and orbital fat to expand, pushing the eye forward and compressing the optic nerve. Left untreated, this pressure can cause double vision, reduced visual acuity, and, in severe cases, vision loss.
To relieve it, your surgeon enlarges the orbit by removing part of one or more bony orbital walls, releasing orbital fat, or both. This allows the orbital contents to settle back into a more natural position, reducing bulging and protecting the cornea against exposure keratopathy and corneal ulceration.
Orbital Decompression Techniques We Offer
Your surgeon tailors the surgical approach to your anatomy and the severity of your condition:
- Medial Wall Decompression: Removes bone along the medial wall between the orbit and the ethmoid sinus, often using an endoscopic orbital decompression approach through the nose for precise, scarless access.
- Orbital Floor Decompression: Removes bone along the orbital floor, expanding the orbit into the maxillary sinus.
- Lateral Wall Decompression: Removes bone along the lateral wall near the temporalis muscle, an option that helps lower the risk of new double vision.
- Orbital Fat Decompression: Removes excess adipose tissue from the orbit, on its own or combined with bony decompression for balanced results.
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